Cloaked in black and gold and stalking the Gustavus campus are a unique group of wild beings, swarming on game days and smearing their faces with paint like indigenous warriors. They are generally not warriors of the gridiron or the soccer pitch and are not required to boast rippling muscles and unfathomable athletic ability.

Unique to this breed is the characteristic of an unmatched passion for Superfandom, a bleacher-filled territorial realm that continues to be defined by riot and mayhem.

Superfans have been a restless militia of vigilantes living nomadically, making sporadic appearances at sporting events for decades. Despite the continuation of ruthless team support, Superfans have joined forces by creating an organization so powerful, not even the stadium seating can contain them.

GAC ATTACK Superfan Club is the new home for Gustie Superfans, inviting all who have unique enthusiasm for Gustavus Athletics to join. The club is an organization built upon relentless commitment, therefore GAC ATTACK is not for the fan faint of heart.

“A Superfan is somebody that goes above and beyond,” GAC ATTACK President and Senior Psychology Major Josh Funk said. “It’s more than going to games; you have to be willing to make signs or body paint. It is a commitment to being a fan.”

GAC ATTACK is in its inaugural year and hopes to gain enough support to continue a tradition for years to come. “We’d like to get a fan base solidified and make a name for ourselves so the club can be expanded in the future,” Funk said.

One way in which the club will promote itself is through the sale of GAC ATTACK shirts, which will occur this week outside the Evelyn Young Dining Room. The shirts will display the club logo on the front and slogan on the back, available in both black and gold.

“Gusties are lions at heart and the name of our student section is inspired by this idea,” Funk said. “It is the Superfan’s job to properly welcome the opponent to the lion’s den.”

Benefits in participating in this organization go beyond attendance and politely harassing opponents.

“Students should join the club because it allows you to be a part of the planning,” GAC ATTACK Vice President and Senior Management Major Jon Carpentier said. “You get to come up with the ideas and pick the events in which we will Superfan.”

The organization will face many obstacles, including funding and membership. However, given the right resources, the organization can put many ideas into fruition like pre-game events, in-game giveaways and halftime entertainment, but the focus will always be on athletic support.

“I know from being on the field that it is helpful to play in front of fans rather than empty bleachers,” Funk said. Filling the seats is precisely why GAC ATTACK was formed, as well as to create a fun experience for fans. Strong support at games has a direct impact on performance for the athletes.

“It’s nice to have support from friends and to reciprocate that when other friends are in season themselves,” said Junior soccer player Ben Ceder

Nationally ranked Men’s Soccer is one of the many great Gustavus athletic programs that are receiving more fan support as they win more and more games, however many successful teams go unnoticed due to lack of awareness.

“Everybody knows that football plays on Saturday,” Carpentier said, “but they might not know when the volleyball team plays. We’re trying to gain fan support across all of the sports.”

Volleyball will be facing off against Bethel Oct. 7 in Lund Center, and GAC ATTACK will be in full attendance.

“This Friday there is a white wash at the volleyball game,” Funk said. “Wear white and let’s wash out those Bethel Royals.”